Type-writing machine



No. 68,777. Patented Feb. 21, I899. J. H. McELROY. TY-PE WRITINGMACHINE.

(Appli gfif n filed Sept.10, 1897.)

2 shaeta sheet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 6l9,777. Patented Feb. 2!, I899. J. H. McELROY.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Application fllsd Sept. 10, 1897.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HOWARD MOELROY, OF ROSSVILLE, ILLINOIS.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,777, dated February21, 1899.

Application filed September 10, 1897. Serial No. 651,187. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN HOWARD MoEL- ROY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Rossville,in the county of Vermilion and State ofIllinois,have invented certain new and usef ul Improvements inType-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to type-writing machines, and has for one of itsobjects to produce a machine capable of greater speed in operation. Asthey are at present construct.- ed the sheet of paper for each page isinserted in the machine separately, and when one sheet is finished thewriting must cease entirely until another sheet of paper can beinserted, thus taking some time and being very annoying When one isattempting to Write out a report of any continuous performance, such asproceedings in court, &c. In my invent-ion I mount a continuous roll ofpaper upon the carriage or on some convenient portion of the machine,feeding it forward in the customary manner, and arrange a cutter at someconvenient place, which severs the strip automatically as soon as alength equal to a sheet of the desired size has been fed forward in theordinary operation of the machine. I also arrange a bell to be soundedsimultaneously with the severing stroke of the cutter to warn theoperator of the termination of the 3 sheet, so that he may number thesheet, if he desires, and operate his feeding-lever three or four timesin succession to allow for the heading of a fresh sheet. By thisconstruction I practically do away with the time required to adjust afresh sheet, and thus produce a machine capable of much speedier work.

Another object of myinvention is the production of step-by-step feedingmechanism which shall be capable of feeding a unit distance or amultiple thereof at will and which shall be so organized that thecompletion of a given feed (which is a multiple of said multiple) mustalways occur at the end of a step whether it be a unit distance or amultiple thereof and irrespective of whether the feed has been changedto or from said multiple distance.

My invention has for its object other improvements, which will appearfrom the following description and drawings, in which I have shown myimprovements applied to a machine of the well-known Remington type, butwhich can be readily arranged for other machines, and in which the samereferenceletters are used to designate the same parts in all thefigures, of which Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of thepaper-carriage, showing the paper-roll mounted thereon and thecutting-knife drawn back and held out of operative position. Fig. 2 is across-section through the cylindrical platen on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1,showing the position of the knife just after the severing of a sheet,the line-space lever not being shown. Fig. 3 isa cross section throughthe cylindrical platen near the left-hand end of Fig. 2 and in the sameposition. Fig. 4 is an elevation of a portion of the right-hand side ofthe paper-carriage seen from the left with the cylindrical platenremoved and showing the relation of the feeding-lever to the right-handslide supporting the knife. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the right-hand endof the cylindrical platen, showing the grooves for controlling the knifeand the construction of the ratchetteeth. Fig. 6 is plan view of aportion of the feeding-lever, showing the connections be tween the dogfor controlling the length of its stroke and the pawl cooperating withthe ratchet-teeth on the platen, the supportingpost for the dog notbeing shown. Fig. 7 is a section,on an enlarged scale,through thefeeding-lever and its operating-pawl on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4. Fig. Sisa top plan view of a portion of the platen and feed-rollers andassociated mechanisms. Fig. 9 is an elevation of a portion of theright-hand end of the machine.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but on a larger scale, and showingthe parts in the po-' adjust by screws or otherwise at a very slightangle to its cooperating edge, as shown in Fig. 2, to a sliding frame B,consisting of the central portion, parallel to the platen D, and twoside pieces 13 and B which are rectangular in cross-section andreciprocate in the ways 0 formed upon the inner sides of the slidingcarriage O at an angle, as shown in Fig. 4. This knife cooperates withthe shearing edge, which consists of a thin metal strip D fastened toone side of a slot D in the periphery of the platen, just wide enough toaccommodate the knife A during its severing stroke. These side pieceshave rectangular slots embracing the trunnions F and carry smallspring-tongues E, fastened at the upper ends thereof in recesses 13.These springtongues terminate in smalllugs E, the bodies of which aresubstantially at right angles to the tongue and normally project beyondthe inner surface of the sliding pieces B and B and into the grooves Fformed in the surface of the end plates F of the platen. The function ofthese grooves, cooperating with the spring-tongues E, is to draw theknife A away from the platen D, where it rests at the completion of thesevering stroke, as shown by the section of the lug E in Fig. 5, and inthis operation they have a camming action and are virtually cams. Thecurve of the groove is quite abrupt at this spot, so that at the firstfeed after the severing stroke the knife will be forced away from theplatenimmediately, so as not to interfere with the feed of the paperstrip advancing to form a new sheet. During the first rotation of theplaten the lugs E remain in the outer groove, but at the end thereof areforced into the inner groove by contacting with the switch-pieces G,consisting of a main body and a spring extension G, which is rigidlyfastened in the plate F, as is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 10, and soshaped as to contact with the lugs E as the platen begins its secondrotation and be forced into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5and in full lines in Fig. 10, preventing the lugs E from continuing theouter groove and forcing them downward to be in the inner groove duringthe second rotation. Just at the end of the second rotation the inclineF with which the inner groove terminates,forees the lugs E outward andreleases them from the grooves, and the frame B, which has been drawndownward, is returned by the resilience of the springs H, which havebeen put under tension by the downward movement. These springs H arestiff fiat springs bent into the curve shown in Fig. 4 and placed in therectangular slots in the sliding pieces B" and B being fastened theretoat their upper ends and with their lower ends resting against thetrunnions F they at their normal positions being under little, if any,tension. \Vhen it is released, the frame B is not only returned to itsnormal position, but is thrown by its momentum beyond it, the knifereaching the position shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2.

In order to break the force of this blow and to assist gravity inreturning the frame and the knife to their normal position, I interposecushioning-springs H and the sliding pieces B and B fastening them tothe lower ends of the rectangular slots therein. To prevent the lug Ecatching on the edges of the plates F when they pass down in the settingstroke, I bevel the edges of said plates, as shown in Fig. 2 at F. Theobject of placing the switch-pieces G in the grooves instead of makingthe grooves continuous will now be seen, as were the grooves continuousthe lugs E during the upward stroke might spring inward and catch in thegrooves in crossing them. To prevent the lugs E catching theswitch-pieces G during the upward severing stroke and misplacing them,as they might if they were flush with the plates F, I make theswitch-piece Ga little thinner than the depth of the grooves, so thatthe lugs E drop onto them, and to further prevent the displacementthereof I facilitate the return of the lugs E by beveling oil? thepieces G, as is clearly shown in the section thereof in Fig. 2. It willbe seen that the structure would be simpler if the grooves were madewith a single spire, thus doing away with the necessity for theswitchpieces; but this would necessitate the use of an incovenientlylarge platen for the cutting of the ordinary square or legal-cap sheets.The slides B and B and their cooperating parts are the same except thatthe upperportion of the right-hand one B is made somewhat thinner toprevent the necessity of placing the feeding-lever so far from theratchet-teeth F, with which it cooperates. I take advantage of thisthinness to make the spring of that side weaker than that of the otherside to increase the shear of the blade, as the weaker spring will notreturn its end so rapidly.

In order to give an audible notice of the severing of the sheet, I mounta bell K upon a standard 0 of the sliding carriage and attach a hammer Bby a spring-tongue to the upper end of said sliding piece 13 The dog L,as is customary in this class of machines, is pivoted to a post G on theright side of the frame 0 and is held in either of two positions by aleaf-spring C on the post C and what are substantially two notches O inthe post C cooperating with a pin L on the dog L, as clearly shown inFig. 9. \Vhen the dog L is in the vertical position of that figure, itsend intercepts a pin J 2 on the line-spacelever J and prevents the leverJ from rising under the impulse of the spring J When the lever J isoperated in this position, it has only sufficient play to advance theratchet-plate F one tooth. When the dog L is in its horizontal position,(shown in Fig. 4,) the pin J takes against the under side of the dog Lnear its center and at a less distance from its pivotpoint, andconsequently the lever J has more play, suffieient to advance theratchet-plate F two teeth each time it is operated.

As the platen, and thereby the paper, is adapted to be fed at eachoperation of the feeding-lever the distance of a line or half a line,depending upon how the customary dog L is adjusted, it is necessary toprovide's'ome means to prevent, by reason of a change from the short tothe long feed at any point in the sheet, the completion of a sheetduring the middle of a long throw, as would occur if there had been anuneven number of short throws before changing to the long throw. This Iaccomplish by making connections be; tween the adj Listing-dog L and thepawl J on the feeding-lever J, so that if there has been an unevennumber of short feeds before changing to the long feed the first feedafter the change will necessarily be a short feed. To this end I makeevery alternate ratchet-tooth F broader than the others and make thepawl J laterally adjustable, so that during the long stroke it will beso far to the right as to engage only the broad teeth. It will thus beseen that if the last short feed has completed an uneven number of suchfeeds the plates F will be in such a position that during the first halfof the ensuing long stroke the pawl J not engaging with the narrow teethwill move idly over the interval, but during the second half of itsstroke will carry forward the broad tooth that it struck at thebeginning of said second half of its stroke. To make this pawl laterallyadjustable, I pivot it upon a'bolt M, which is held in its innermostposition during the adjustment for short feeds by the helical spring Nsurrounding it, but which is drawn to the right against the resistanceof this spring N during the shifting of this dog L by the incline O onthe slotted link 0. This link is pivoted to the dog L at L and itsslotted portion, as shown in the dotted lines in' Fig. 4 and in sectionin Fig. 7, embraces the reduced portion M of the bolt M, and as the dogL is drawn down to position to permit the long feed the link 0 is drawnforward, and the incline 0 passing by the bolt M, forces it to theright, so that the pawl J is out of engagement with the narrow teeth Funtil the dog L is reversed. It is believed that this construction of anautomatic controlling device to insure the completion of a given feed atthe end of a feeding operation by a feeding mechanism having a variablefeed is broadly new, and I do not desire to be limited to the precisestructure shown or to the class of machines in which I have shown it.

In order to admit of a severing-knife extending the length of theplaten, it is necessary to substitute for the rubber bands ordinarilyemployed in this type of machines to hold the paper against the platenbetween the rear roller P and the front roller P the spring-bands Q,which are adj ustably fastened at one end in blocks Q, which are in turnfast upon the rod R, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. These bandsconform closely to the platen D, there being just sufficient roombetween the platen and bands to permit the passage of the paper andcarry the scalebar QZwhich is adjusted close enoughto the knife A toguide the severed end of the advancing sheet between the bands Q and theplaten. To aid in holding the end of the new sheet close to the platento avoid contacting with the knife just after severing, I employ thewing-pieces S, consisting of fiat strips fastened at one end to thesliding frame 0 and having the other free ends twisted, so as to bringthem close to the platen, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:. I

As a convenient means of holding the paper-roll I employ a frameconsisting of a basestrip having two depending lugs T which fit insockets T on the main carriage-frame T. This base-plate terminates intwo upwardlyextending spring-arms T which have sockets T for thereception of the trunnions T of the ordinary paper-roll holder T Thepaper, which is put up in rolls, is easily adjusted by springing apartthe arms T taking out the empty roll-holder, and inserting a full one.It will be understood that I may employ two or more strips of paper,interposing carbonslips, as is done when more than one copy is desired.

If it is desired to employ the ordinary sheets of paper for a time, theslides B and B can be drawn down so as tobring the knife A out of theway, and the hooks O pivoted at C in the rear way 0 can be adjusted inthe depressions B (Shown in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and4.) The spurs O terminating the hooks C are preferably circular incross-section, fitting snugly in the depressions B and have their endsbeveled on the outside, so that when pushed into the depressions B theywill take over the springtongues E and cam them outwardly, thuswithdrawing the lugs E from the grooves F and leaving the machinecapable of being operated without the cutting device. When the cuttingdevice is in operation, the hooks O are dropped back to the positionshown in Fig. 4, the way 0 being recessed to permit of their assumingthe position there shown.

It will be obvious that there might be many modifications within thescope of my invention, and I do not desire to be limited to the formshown and described; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, the carriagereciprocating thereon, the platen, the mechanism for feed ing a paperstrip over said platen step by step, with a cutter, and means for movingsaid outter automatically at the end of a given feed to sever the paper,substantially as described.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, the carriagereciprocating thereon, the platen, the mechanism for feeding a paperstrip over said platen step by step, with a cutter, and means for movingsaid cutter automatically at the end of a determined feed, to sever thepaper and sound an alarm, substantially as described.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, the carriagereciprocating thereon, the platen,- mechanism for feeding a paper stripover said platen at intervals of a line, with a cutter, and means ofactuating said cutter to sever the strip automatically at the end of adetermined number of lines, substantially as described.

at. The combination of a frame, the carriage reciprocating thereon aplaten mounted thereon having a shearing edge, mechanism for feeding apaper strip over said platen step by step, with a cutter, and means formoving said cutter automatically along said shearing edge to sever thestrip at the end of a determined feed.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage, theplaten mounted thereon, means for rotating said platen step by step,with a cutter, and mechanism actuated by the rotation of said platen tooperate said cutter automatically at the end of a given movementthereof,substantially as described.

6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage, theplaten having a shearing edge mounted thereon, means for rotating saidplaten step by step, with a cutter cooperating with said edge, and aspring put under tension by the rotation of said platen and released atthe end of a given movement to operate said cutter, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage, theplaten mounted thereon, mechanism for feeding a paper strip over saidplaten step by step, with a cutter, and a spring put under tension bysaid mechanism, and released at the end of a determined feed to operatesaid cutter and sever the paper, substantially as described.

8. In a type-writin g machine, the combination of the platen having ashearing edge, mechanism for feeding a paper strip over said platen stepby step, with a cutter cooperating with said platen and moved away fromsaid platen by the operation of said mechanism, a spring placed undertension by the movement of said cutter and released at the end of adetermined feed to return said cutter, substantially as described.

9. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, the platentherein, the mechanism for feeding a paper strip over said platen stepby step, with a reciprocating cutter sliding in ways in said frame andmoved in one direction by said mechanism, and means for returning saidcutter automatically at the end of a given feed, substantially asdescribed.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, the platentherein, mechanism for feeding a paper strip over said platen, with areciprocating cutter sliding in ways in said frame and moved in onedirection by said mechanism, means for returning said cutterautomatically at the end of a given feed, and an alarm sounded by saidreturn, substantially as described.

11. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, thereciprocating cutter sliding in ways therein, with mechanism for movingsaid cutter in one direction, a spring put under tension by saidmovement, and released at the end of a definite movement, and acushioning-spring to break the impact of said cutter on its returnstroke, substantially as described.

12. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, thereciprocating cutter mounted therein, the spring-pressed lug moving withsaid cutter, with the paper-feeding mechanism, a cam -groove on saidfeeding mechanism in which said lug takes, and means for returning saidcutter to its normal position when the lugis released from said groove,substantially as described.

13. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the frame, thereciprocating cutter mounted therein, the spring-pressed lug moving withsaid cutter, with the paper-feeding mechanism, a cam-groove thereon inwhich said lug takes, a spring put under tension by the movement of saidcutter, and serving to return it when said lug is released from saidgroove, substantially as described.

14. The combination of the reciprocating member, the spring-pressed lugattached to said member, a spring put under tension by the movement ofsaid member, with a rotating member, the cam-groove on said member inwhich said lug takes, means for raising said lug out of said groove at agiven point, and a switch-piece in said groove between said point andthe beginning of said groove, substantially as described.

15. The combination of the reciprocating member, the spring-pressed lugattached to said member, a spring put under tension by the movement ofsaid member, with a rotating member, a cam-groove in said rotatingmember in which said lug takes, said groove having two or more spires,and terminated by an incline, and a switch piece in said groove on aline between the termini of said groove.

16. The combination of the member having the shearing edge, with areciprocating cutter cooperating therewith, and springs at both ends ofsaid cutter put under tension by the movement thereof, the spring at oneend of said cutter being weaker than the other spring.

17. The combination of the member having the shearing edge, with areciprocating cutter cooperating therewith having its edge oblique tosaid edge, and springs at both ends of said cutter put under tension bythe movement thereof, the spring at the more distant end of said cutterhaving less strength than the other spring.

18. The combination of a member having a shcarin g edge, with areciprocating cutter oo- IIC operating therewith, and motors at bothends of said cutter energized by the movement thereof, the motor at oneend of said cutter being weaker than the other motor. I

19. The combination of a motor having a shearing edge, with areciprocating cutter cooperating therewith having its edge oblique tosaid shearing edge, and motors at both ends of said cutter energized bythe movement thereof, the motor at the more distant end of said cutterbeing weaker than the other motor.

20. In a type-writing machine, the co1nbination of the carriage with theroller journaled therein and rotated to feed a paper strip, areciprocating cutter having an arm at substantially right angles to itsblade and moving in ways in said carriage, said arm embracing by a slottherein the trunnion of said roller, and a cam on said rollercooperating with a lug on said arm, substantially as described.

21. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage with theroller journaled therein and rotated to feed a paper strip, areciprocating cutter having an arm at substantially right angles to itsblade and moving in ways in said carriage, said arm embracing by a slottherein the trunnion of said roller, a cam on said roller cooperatingwith a lug on said arm, and a spring in the slot of said arm andcompressed by the movement of said cutter, substantially as described.

22. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage, theplaten, the mechanism for feeding a paper strip over said platen step bystep, with a cutter, means for moving said cutter automatically at theend of a determined feed, and a catch to hold said cuttter out ofoperative position, substantially as described.

23. In a type-Writing machine, the combination of the frame, thecarriage reciprocating thereon, the platen, mechanism for feeding apaper strip over said platen, with a cutter, means for moving saidcutter automatically at the end of a determined feed, and a catch todisengage said means to prevent movement of said cutter, substantiallyas described.

24. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame, theplaten, means for feeding a strip over said platen, of a reciprocatingcutter, means for moving said outter automatically at the end of adetermined feed, and a catch for holding said cutter out of operativeposition and disengaging it from said means, substantially as described.

25. The combination of the movable member with means for advancing it aunit distance or a multiple of said distance at each operation, a devicefor changing said means from feeding said distance to said multiplethereof, and vice versa, and connections between said device and saidmeans controlling the operation of said means so that when feeding themultiple of said distance the total distance from the starting positionof said member at the end of any operation will be a multiple of saidmultiple of said distance.

26. The combination of the movable member with means for advancing it aunit distance or a multiple of said distance at each operation, a devicefor changing said means from feeding said distance to said multiplethereof and vice versa, and connections between said device and saidmeans, controlling the operation of said means so that the firstoperation after changing said means from the unit-distance feed to themultiple-distance feed will carry said member only far enough to makethe total distance from its starting position a multiple of saidmultiple distance, substantially as described.

27. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the paper-feedingmember, with means for advancing said member a unit distance or amultiple thereof at each operation, an adjusting device changing theoperative stroke of said means from the greater to the lesser distance,and vice versa, and connections between said adjusting device and saidmeans so that when feeding the multiple of said distance the totaldistance from the starting-point position of said member at the end ofany operation will be a multiple of said multiple of said distance,substantially as described.

28. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the paper-feedingmember having a ratchet thereon, with a lever engaging said ratchet, anadjusting device by which the operatingstroke of said lever may belimited to a single tooth or a fixed number of the teeth of saidratchet, and connections between said lever and said adjusting devices,controlling the action of said lever so that when feeding its greaterstrqke, the number of teeth of said ratchet passed'over from thebeginning of a series of strokes at the end of any stroke of said leverwill be a multiple of said fixed number, substantially as described.

29. In a type-Writing machine, the combination of the platen having ashearing edge thereon, with mechanism for feeding a paper stripthereover a unit distance or some mul-' tiple thereof at each operation,a reciprocating cutter cooperating with said edge at the end of a fixedfeed, a device controlling the feed of said mechanism, and connectionsbetween said mechanism and said device whereby the completion of saidfixed feed always occurs at the completion of an operation of saidmechanism, substantially as described.

30. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the rotary platenhaving a shearing edge thereon, with a lever advancing said platen aunit distance or some multiple thereof at each operation, areciprocating cutter cooperating with said shearing edge at thecompletion of a fixed number of rotations of said platen, a dogcontrolling the throw of said lever, and connections between said dogand said lever whereby the completion of the necessary number ofrotations of said platen always occurs at the completion of an operationof said lever, substantially as described.

31. In a type-Writing machine, the combination of the paper-feedingmember having a ratchet thereon, with a lever for advancing said membera unit distance represented by a tooth, or some multiple of saiddistance, a dog for limiting the throw of said lever, and connectionsbetween said dog and lever whereby on ad jnsting said dog to permit thegreater throw of said lever, its first throw will engage only snfficientteeth of said ratchet to make the total distance from the starting-pointsome multiple of the greater distance, substantially as described.

32. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the paper-feedingmechanism having a ratchet thereon, with a lever carrying a pawlengaging said ratchet, a dog controlling the throw of said lever, andconnections between said dog and said pawl whereby the completion of apredetermined feed shall always be upon the completion of a stroke ofsaid lever, substantially as described.

33. I11 a typeavriting machine, the combination of the paper-feedingmechanism having a ratchet thereon with a certain number of teeth atequal intervals of greater width than the others thereon, with a levercarrying a pawl engaging said ratchet, a dog controlling the throw ofsaid lever, and connections between said dog and pawl which during thegreater throw of said lever permits its pawl to engage only the teeth ofgreater width, substantially as described.

34. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the paper-feedingroll, the ratchet thereonhaving teeth of different widths, and thefeeding-lever, the laterally-adjustable pawl carried thereby, the dogcontrolling the throw of said lever, and the link connecting said dogand said pawl, and controlling its position, substantially as described.

In a type-writing machine, the combination of the platen,theratchet-teeth F thereon of dilferent widths, with the feeding-lever J,the laterally-adjustable bolt M, the pawl J thereon, the dog L, and theslotted link 0 embracing said bolt M, and having the thickened portion,and the incline O 36. In a type-writing machine, the combination of thecarriage, the platen, and mechanism for feeding a paper strip over saidplaten step by step, with a cutterand an alarm mechanism, and means formoving said cutter automatically to sever the paper and for operatingthe alarm mechanism at the end of a given feed.

37. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the platen D, with therollers P and P the wings S, and the guides Q, substantially asdescribed.

38. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage, thesliding piece B thereon, the spring-pressed lug E within said slidingpiece, and a hook C for repressing said lug and holding said slidingpiece, substantially as described.

39. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a carriage, theplaten, and mechanism for feeding a paper strip over said platen step bystep, with a cutter, and means for moving said cutter automatically atthe end of a given feed to sever the paper, substantially as described.

40. In a type-writing machine, the combination of the carriage, theplaten, and mechanism for feeding a paper strip over said platen atintervals of a line, with a cutter, and means for moving said cutterautomatically at the end of a given number of lines to sever the paper,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have set my hand this 2d day of July, 1894.

JOHN HOlVARD MCELROY.

W'itnesses:

CHAS. F. CoNsAnn, GEO. E. TERRY.

